The Virgin Suicides

Hauntingly beautiful.

I am very happy to report that I've recently got my reading mojo back. After a long while just reading books without finishing them, I'm finally back on a roll. I've completed three novels in a span of a week (not really remarkable as they were sorta thin, but I'll take whatever after the lull I have been in). Now, now... I just remembered that before completing The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides, I completed Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen first, but we'll talk about that in a different post. This post is for The Virgin Suicides; a homage to the sheer poignant beauty of the narrative and the way it was written.

I loved it. Completely. It tells the story of the five Lisbon sisters and how they all committed suicide in a span of one year. It's a depressing theme. But I have to argue that it was written so beautifully, so eerily haunting, that well... it was just beautiful. After reading it, the story stays with you. It leaves you wondering, and the Lisbon sisters - even though they all died - continues to live within your minds. The book is written from the perspective of a group of young boys who live within the same neighbourhood as the Lisbon girls. And that's what makes the story of the Lisbon sisters all the more mysterious and grabbing; because the boys didn't really know what went on, they couldn't fit the puzzles together... and consequently, neither can the reader. They are left - or rather, we are left - with fragments of pictures, of haunting memories... all those things that keep you guessing, that will never provide answers. The boys never solved the mystery that was the Lisbon sisters. And guess what, neither will we.

The Other Side of Christian Bale

Ooo, the Fighter was so good!

After watching The Green Hornet and No Strings Attached, I vowed to myself that I will never ever spend money on stupid movies again. Seriously. Well, okay I'll cut some slack on No Strings Attached (that Ashton Kutcher line at the end sort of made it not-so-bad in my books), but The Green Hornet ... seriously? That movie was complete rubbish. I've been watching really terrible movies lately (the Fockers? URGH), and so yes, I've sworn to myself (not that it'll do any good, now that Hollywood movies are not being distributed here anymore; revolt people, REVOLT!). Anywho, after those last two terrible movies, I went to watch The Fighter. Thus, I've made good on my vow. That movie was excellent!

I don't know exactly when I started being a Christian Bale fan; it could have just been from the Batman movies (on a side note, how excited are we for the new Batman movie with Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tom Hardy and Marion Cotillard?), and he just continues to blow me away, especially with The Fighter now under his belt. Amy Adams impressed me very much too in this movie; such a turn around from her character in Enchanted. The storyline was compelling, not really anything new, but with this wonderful cast and their amazing acting chops, this movie really became something special. If you have not seen it, go see it now like stat. Especially now that we are soon to be deprived of Hollywood movies.

Let Me In

Err, no. You may not come in.

My first movie of 2011 is noneother than Let Me In, the remake of 2008's Sweedish film - similarly titled - Let the Right One In (what's with Hollywood and their Sweedish film remakes?). The movies are based on a book also titled Let the Right One in by John Adjvide Lindqvist (for the life of me, I can't figure out how to pronounce that name). Was it good? Why yes, yes it was.

I'm not sure if many people here - my friends in particular - will enjoy this movie as much as I did. They may be expecting some sort of action-packed vampire thriller filled with gore and blood. And even though Let Me In does showcase some gore, it really is not what you'd expect from these type of stories. This movie is a movie about friendship. That is all. It's poignant and hauntingly beautiful. It really leaves you thinking. And that is what great movies are made up of.

I must point out that Abby moves like Splice when she goes for the kill. Why am I pointing this out? Because it's freaky as hell. Splice is the freakiest sh*t I've ever laid my eyes on. But anyway, do watch Let Me In but please do so with the right frame of mind. It's not a movie filled with cheap action scenes, over-the-top dialogues or irrational twits and turns.

This movie is close to perfection.

Bytheby, please tune in to 105.8, the best slow hits station tomorrow at 1 - 4. I'll be on air. For those not in Indonesia, you can stream it on www.litefmjakarta.com.

Love you all.

Bye Bye 2010

And alas, I am back.

Only half-an hour till the 31st of December 2010. Tik a tok a tik a tok. And I've finally found my way back to this little blog of mine. I really do try to update it, I do, but well - you know. Let's hope I can update it once a day? That might be stretching it a little though, so let's try for once a week.

What can I say? 2010 has been very kind to me. I've travelled, I've lost love - I've gained love, got my first real job... 2010, you've been wonderful. This year has been filled with many new incredible experiences that I would not trade for anything and I feel richer all the more for it. Life's good, can't complain.

I'm not going into the book reviews just yet. I know I promised Mockingjay and maybe others, but I feel like that that's old news? So I'm going to skip it and start afresh in 2011 (did not love Mockingjay FYI). The last book I read in 2010 was Darklight by Lesley Livingston. It was OK. As usual, the beginning-middle was very average, but just when I've decided to stop reading the series, the end just grabs me again. And I want to go on. Well, it's a trilogy, I might as well finish it.

This is it for now. I will be updating again in the near future. In the meantime, here's a snapshot of what I've been upto (apart from work and uni);

Spot me?

Lots of love,
xoxo.

Wicked Lovely...

is Wickedly good.

After my first fairy book - Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston - I was suddenly in the market for more. It turns out that Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr is a much more popular one than Livingston's. However, I've heard mixed reviews for it... you know the usual good, bad, good, bad. Somebody also went on to say that Wondrous Strange is everything they had hoped Wicked Lovely to be. So yes, I was on the fence about it. But I was going to be on an 8 hour flight to Abu Dhabi, and I decided that whatever book I could get my hands on, you know, just buy it. Better be safe than sorry. And I'm going on record to say that boy am I glad I'd decided to buy it.

I ended up reading this book before my holiday. And I finished it in one day. I thought the characterization of the characters were pretty good. The story itself was riveting. - very original. And the angst which I loveeee so much was all there. It was so refreshing because I didn't hate the girl protagonist. She was so not annoying *coughBellacough*. I was in love with Seth from day one. And I really liked the underlying love story of the narrative.

That being said, I do have some complaints.

With Wondrous Strange... I hated the beginning but ended up loving the ending. It was so climatic. With Wicked Lovely... I loved the beginning but didn't really care for the ending. Yes, I love Aislinn, but towards the end, she did get a bit irritating. Everything was wrapped up too nicely for my liking. And there was a nice twist there in the end - something to do with the Winter Court, don't want to spoil it for those who haven't read it -, but then it was solved so easily. A big turn-off.

I still love the book as a whole though. Even though the destination wasn't all that great, the ride getting there was worth it. So this begs the question, will I continue reading the series?

Tentative.

Lots of people say that the first book was good - I agree - but the rest are really not worth reading. I still have plenty of books to read right now anyway, so... I'll think about it and we'll see. Good news is that it looks like a movie is in the works for Wicked Lovely.

I'll be the first in line.

Back!

From the greatest holiday ever!

HELLO! Just how is everyone doing? My, how my blog has been quiet! Hopefully that won't be the case starting soon. So yes, I'm back from my holiday to Jordan, Israel and Egypt and yes, I was blown away by those 3 countries (I can now honestly claim that I've been to Africa!). Everything was just so breathtaking, and the people there were extremely nice and friendly. It was the most happiest 12 days of my life. I took many pictures - over 600 I think - and I wont be uploading them all here. They're on my facebook, so for those who are interested to see them, feel free to add me; carai_an_ellisande@hotmail.com. But make sure you let me know you're a ClickCliqueOnline reader! I don't randomly approve friend requests.

So this is how my blog will operate for the next few days. I will put up book reviews - like usual - but in between them will be tidbits from my holiday. So after this post, I'll put up my review of Wicked Lovely. And then a holiday tidbit, and then a review of Mockingjay (yes, I finally got it and I've finished it last night). And so forth.

Uni is starting, starting on thesis, internship and my first real job. It will be a super busy year. I hope everyone is having a nice day!

Toodles!

xx.

Adios, Indonesia!

and heeellllooooo Egypt and Israel!

Tomorrow will be the day that my real holiday really starts. I'm really excited. I have been obsessed with Egypt's history since I was in year 7 (thanks Mrs. Wilson!) and I have never imagined that I would one day actually go there and see the pyramids with my own eyes! It's a dream come true! And then there's Israel; I'll finally get to see all the places that I've read in the bible. I am sooo stoked! It's a 12 day trip. It's now 2.49 am and I just finished packing (I guess that's what happens when you leave everything till the last minute right?). I hope all of you are having a very nice holiday. I'll be back in I guess, 2 weeks!

Love you all!

P.S. I've finished Wicked Lovely and am now starting on Graceling. I haven't had time to write a review for Wicked Lovely - I'll do so when I get back - but I gave it 4 stars. The ending wasn't amazing, but the whole ride was. Also, Mockingjay has not arrived. I'm so sad. So my plane-read will be Graceling and The Gargoyle. Take care everyone!

xoxo